A local church is teaching its youth how to be leaders today, not waiting for tomorrow to make a difference.

The teenage group “Jesus and Me,” based at First Christian Church in Conroe, started three years ago with just three students. Today, the group has more than 50 members in grades seventh through 12th.

“Our goal is to train them to be leaders today not just in the future,” said Vicki Hill, who is the church’s youth pastor along with her husband Robert. “We’re training them to be leaders now.

“This isn’t the time to waste your life. Now is the time to figure out your life.”

Willis High School freshman Scott Scarborough, 14, has already taken a leadership role and brought both his parents and three friends to be baptized.

“It felt really special to be part of my parents’ baptism and it was great to be part of my best friend’s baptism who almost never went to church,” Scarborough said.

Every time a month has a fifth Sunday JAM leads the Sunday worship service to put into use the leadership skills learned.

“We control the entire service,” Scarborough said. “We usually put on a little play.”

JAM meets from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

Currently, members are raising funds to attend a leadership summer camp. The church is covering half the cost. Students must raise $180 to attend. Previous fundraisers included a car wash and bake sales.

“My favorite thing is the summer camp because you learn a lot of leadership skills,” Montgomery High School sophomore Hayley Sick, 15, said. “We’re here to help our peers now because the world needs help now.

“We learn a lot of successful people learn to be leaders as teens. They don’t wait until they get older.”

The biggest fundraiser is the annual garage sale.

The next garage sale is from 8 a.m. to dusk May 9 at First Christian Church, located at 3500 Loop 336 West in Conroe. Donations are accepted. Booths are available for $20 each.